Well first off, 5G isn’t something just rolling off the assembly line this year. It has been in the making for nearly a decade, only now it is finally coming into the spotlight.
So, what is it?
5G is the next generation of mobile broadband. Mobile broadband put simply effects everything from making calls on your data network, to downloading and uploading. As the name suggests 5G is the next iteration of network technology after 4G and aims to improve on its predecessor.
Now stay with me here but the way it claims to improve is by increasing the amount of spectrum bands it operates on from two to three. What this essentially means is that depending on where you are and what you are doing, your network will have additional resources to find you a secure connection, or a nice fast download speed.
Why do we need 5G?
You might wonder why there is a need to release new broadband technology. Certainly, if you live in an urban area, you will likely already have pretty good download speeds and never struggle to find signal. So why? Well it’s all down to demand.
According to experts we are expected to increase our global mobile data traffic by five by 2024. That considerable increase will leave 4G struggling to cope with use. Another suggestion as to why we need the upgrade is the type of content we consume. It is also expected that by 2024, 74% of mobile traffic will be video. Putting more stress on our networks, especially as video quality continues to improve.
So how does it benefit you?
Let’s start with your everyday benefits. Now there is no official “speed standard” for 4G, but many experts are suggesting that I could be 10 times faster than 4G, and therefore could even compete with your home broadband speeds. Various trials of 5G have been conducted in various environments, including trials from BT and Huawei. Who managed to deliver a consistent download speed of 2.8Gbps on the new network.
Ever noticed that when you are at a huge event, such as a concert or a football match, that you struggle have any mobile data access? This is because the local network struggles to cope with the number of users in one local spot. With the new stronger network, it’s suggested you won’t have these issues ever again!
Finally let’s talk about some of the potential, more “out there” applications of 5G. For example, it is suggested that 5G would be strong enough for healthcare services to make use of the network. The power of 5G could enable doctors to carry out remote surgery or examine patients remotely. As things stand you certainly wouldn’t want to risk a connection drop while operating, but a 5G network could offer the assurance to investigate these nessw possibilities.
To summarise 5G could be a herald of much more that slightly fast YouTube streaming while out and about. Is it worth the risks that seem to be coming with its implementation, who knows?
If you want advice on how to transfer your business to 5G when it arrives in the UK or just want to know that your day to day business is protected from any cyber threats. Why not take a look at our complete solution to company mobiles.